These are the Best Homemade Granola Bars—chewy, chocolatey, and made with simple, wholesome ingredients! Perfect for a quick snack, lunchbox treat, or a grab-and-go breakfast.
Most of the time when creating recipes I look for foods my kids always request at the grocery store and this recipe is no different. My boys love granola bars but have you ever picked up the box and looked at the ingredient list- seed oils, artificial flavors and just so much that I am not wanting to incorporate into our lives. That was when I started thinking about the main ingredients in granola bars- oats, a binder like peanut butter, a sweetener, and add-ins. That is all that is needed to create a delicious and healthy granola bar.
That was when I started throwing these ingredients together until I found the perfect combination. This recipe is so simple to make, packed with wholesome ingredients you probably have in your pantry, and I promise you that your kids will ask for them often.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
No Baking Required: This recipe is so easy to make. You literally just have to mix the ingredients together, press them in a pan and chill. They will be ready to cut up and enjoy before you know it.
Made with Simple Pantry Staples: These granola bars are made from real, food ingredients. Many you probably already have in your pantry. Making these easy to whip-up basically whenever you need an easy snack.
Customizable: This simple base can be switched up to whatever you desire. You can swap out the nut butter, add different mix-ins, or even my favorite drizzle with chocolate on top.
Kid-Approved: This is one of the most requested snack from my kids. They love the sweetness and texture of these granola bars. They are easy to throw in my purse or in a lunchbox for a quick snack.
Ingredients Breakdown
Rolled Oats: This is the base for a chewy texture- the star ingredient. I opt for a sprouted oat for easier digestion and making sure they are always organic so they aren’t sprayed with chemicals I don’t want my family ingesting. The other plus is oats provide a nice boost of fiber.
Nut Butter: You can choose any nut butter you like. My kids like just basic peanut butter but there are so many options. Just make sure your nut butter does not have any added oils. This is the binder for the granola bars and adds protein and healthy fats.
Honey (or Maple Syrup): Opting for a natural sweetener is always what I aim for in recipes. The honey or maple syrup bring the perfect sweetness and help hold the bars together.
Mini Chocolate Chips: Our favorite add-in. These add an extra layer of delicious and fun making these truly the best granola bars.
Vanilla & Salt: These simple flavor boosters help enhance every bite making these granola bars so tasty.
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula
- 8×8-inch pan
- Parchment paper
- Measuring cups & spoons
How to Make The Best Homemade Granola Bars
1. Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a mixing bowl stir together the nut butter, honey or maple syrup, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
2. Add the Oats
To your wet mixture stir in your oats until they are fully coated.
3. Fold in the Mini Chocolate Chips
Add your mini chocolate chips into the mixture and gently fold them in until they are full incorporated.
4. Press in Pan and Chill
Press the mixture into a 8×8 or similar pan lined with parchment paper. Make sure you press the mixture down to where it is packed tightly to ensure the granola bars stay together. Refrigerate the bars for at least 1-2 hours to make sure they are firm.
5. Slice and Enjoy
Remove your granola bars from the pan and take a sharp knife and slice to make bars. I like to wrap mine in parchment paper for easy grab and go. Now your best homemade granola bars are ready to enjoy!
Tips for the Best Granola Bars
- Make sure the mixture is pressed very firmly into the pan to make sure that the bars hold their shape.
- Store your bars at room temperature for a softer bar or in the refrigerator if you would prefer them to have a more firm texture.
- Get creative with your mix-ins. You can add chopped nuts, dried fruit, or shredded coconut for a fun variety. I also love to drizzle some melted chocolate over the top.
- If you are having trouble mixing your nut butter warm is slightly to make for easier mixing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these nut-free?
Yes! Just swap out your nut butter to a nut-free version such as sunflower seed butter or tahini.
How do I make these less sweet?
You could reduce the honey a bit, but keep in mind this helps with binding the granola bars together. Another option would be to swap out the mini chocolate chips for an add-in that is less sweet like dried fruit or chopped nuts.
Can I bake these instead?
Although I have never baked them you definitely can. Bake your granola bars in the oven at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes. This will produce a firmer, toasted texture as opposed to the chewy texture of the no-bake granola bar.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with a glass of milk for a balanced snack. Bonus points if you add some homemade chocolate syrup to your milk.
- Crumble over Greek yogurt for a protein-packed breakfast.
- Pack in lunchboxes for a homemade, wholesome treat.
If you enjoyed this recipe, I’d be so grateful if you could take a moment to leave a 5-star rating below! Be sure to tag me @simplychelseahome on Instagram so I can see your delicious results!
The Best Homemade Granola Bars
Ingredients
Method
- Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, stir together the nut butter, honey, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
- Stir in the oats until fully coated, then fold in the mini chocolate chips.
- Firmly press the mixture into the prepared pan and refrigerate for 1-2 hours until firm.
- Cut into bars and store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Notes
- Press the mixture firmly to help the bars hold their shape.
- If the nut butter is too thick, warm it slightly for easier mixing.
- Store in the fridge for a firmer texture or at room temperature for a softer bite.
Yum! We are on a mission to make granola bars homemade because it’s so much cheaper and honestly way easier than I thought,
Great recipe, thanks for sharing!
Yes!! I was buying the expensive boxes that still had ingredients I didn’t love and once I made them once I knew I’d never buy them again! Thank you!
These look yummy! Always looking for healthy homemade snacks. Thanks!
I hope you try the and enjoy! My kids love them! Thank you 🙂
These look so good! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Thank you so much!! They are a favorite around here!